making it count

i love to do what I do. and every time a little girl like her comes to greet me after a worship service, i know that this is something so worthwhile and something i wouldn't mind doing forever. sometimes it's difficult getting up early and getting ready and rehearsing songs for hours, and sitting in the back of the church with a nice poster of jp and i. but when someone's life is touched, when someone feels changed by something God used in our music or worship or words, it makes it all worth it. knowing that we are doing just what the lord wanted us to be doing makes it all worth it. really.

are you where you need to be in your life? are you in the center of what you have been called to do?

as the year comes to a close some people start pondering on what their past year and inevitably some feel as their days have gone to waste. maybe things didnt work out as planned. maybe tragedies and storms or trials didnt help you reach your highest potential. all these things could have happened, but you know, we have a choice how we see today.

my year has not been all pretty roses. it's been a challenging year as well as one of wonderful opportunities. many things went well and others, failed. but i've chosen to enjoy all of it. to see it all as my ticket to growth and a new level of joy in the Lord. i am practicing lately that i have the choice of how i feel and how i react to my life now and even the life that has passed. you too have a choice on how you enjoy the rest of this year. and we have a choice of making it count.

my pastor says, it's not so much about how you started, but how you finish.

keep running, and finish well.

a girl that sings.

this morning as i drove to work, i began thinking. i think a lot when i drive. and well a song on the radio came on and it say the words that have stayed with me since.

i know you love to hear me sing.

and deep inside me, my soul went "wow".

my mind flashed to memories of me singing. i was suddenly  nine again grabbing a hairbrush and using it as a mic while i sang in front of the mirror. then i was in my teen years, screaming at the top of my lungs again. running around the house while i babysat my little sisters. then i was singing at church for the first time. i could see my nervousness in my thoughts. the thrill of singing for a greater purpose. nothing could compare. then im in a room recording my album. i think i had never felt such excitement. such passion. i mean the physical exhaustion after every recording session of often repeating the same note, could not outweigh the joy in my heart to be doing just that. and then i came back to recent memories of all the places i've been to lately, singing, sharing. and then i came back to my car. driving. listening to a song i love and singing along at the top of my lungs. alone. with the loudness and passion in my singing voice.

somehow, after all the stages, church altars or rooms i've sung in. nothing compares to the thrill of driving and singing passionately, like no one could hear me. and really no one can hear me (or at least i like to think that). and then im fearless. i reach for the notes that i otherwise would be too insecure to try. i am not afraid to miss them. im not afraid to shriek. sing off tune or even forget the lines. it's just me and the music. becoming one. finding refuge in one another. sitting together. just enjoying each other.

right there, im just a girl. a girl that sings. for me. for love. for his mighty name. cause he can hear my music anywhere. he can hear the music i have yet to uncover. the music that i haven't found the right words to. he hears them. he loves them. and that's why i love them. and thats why i sing to him. because i know he loves to hear me sing.

I'm flying today...

...and i'm so excited. i just can't deny it. la, la, la,

ok. enough of that.

im heading to new york this evening.

i get to visit my momma, sister, nieces and nephew.

then i cross over to new jersey, for jerseylicious fun

just kidding.

i will have fun, but singing, worshiping my king.

our music group, Kairos, will be doing a bit of touring {if you may}

in the clifton - passaic area in jersey

so... if you are around, you know what to do

...

wishing you all an early-bird happy weekend!

links to images:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7, 6

What's Not to Love about May

Jumping like a frog. Happy like a ladybug.

It’s May.

It’s sunny. It’s rain. It’s an ending. It’s a beginning. It’s music. It’s a keepsake of lifetime memories. It’s smiles. It’s ice cream. It’s blueberries. It’s daisies. It’s flashy colors. It's God's time!

It’s May.

It’s hot. It’s now and forever a magical time.

…yes I’m happy it’s May.

{Sorry!!! couldn’t hold back my corniness on this post.}

And it’s mostly because:

1. We are almost done with the album 

2. Our album is almost set to print or mass production

3. Our website is in the works and soon you’ll see it

and get a preview of our music :D

4. Our album release concert is May 20^th

^{{enter screaming, horns, trumpets, balloons dropping from the ceiling, more screaming}}

...and a short video. this is JP's adorable nephew.  he is singing one of our songs with me. 

^{{ok. now that that's done!!!}}

I wish you could all be there.

Want to escape to Miami and drop by??

 I’m sure you’ll have a good time!



photo shoot day {fun, fun, fun!}

today was a great day. photo shoot day #2. {for  the album cover! i know, it shocks me too.} it definitely was a success. thank God for that! i can't reveal any pictures, yet, but my make-up was so beautiful and strong that it lasted the whole day. i've decided to take a few pictures to show it off some more. or what's left of it. besides, i don't get this look so often. bare with me please.

By the way... I can't help loving this hair. Thank you Jesus for good hair days!

PS: Special thanks for all the feedback in my previous post. I'm really digging all the web love.  And last but not least, kudos to my buddy Caro for working her magic and doing this awesome make-up!